Weld District Chief Judge James Hartmann wishes Buckley good luck

Three months after testifying that Craig Buckley's threatening statements concerned him, a Weld District judge shook hands with the Longmont man on the day of his sentencing.

"Good luck to you," Weld District Chief Judge James Hartmann

told Buckley on Friday after he walked from the back of the courtroom to the defense table when Buckley's sentencing hearing concluded. Buckley, in turn, apologized to Hartmann.

In April, Buckley was convicted of retaliation against a judge, a felony, for saying during a 2013 arrest, "I swear to God, there will be blood. There will be blood and you can write that down," police officers recorded. "Psychopath James Hartmann caused this."

Boulder District Judge Andrew Hartman sentenced Buckley, 52, to three years' probation, 80 hours of community service, 26 days on a work crew and mental health treatment.

Hartmann had presided over a civil lawsuit that Buckley filed against his former employers in 2009. Buckley is convinced that those employers committed fraud but said Friday he now believes that Hartmann was duped and not part of a conspiracy, as he earlier claimed.

Prosecutor Catrina Weigel had asked for a two-year prison sentence. The maximum sentence is six years in prison.

Panthers brace for rematch of epic '13 playoff battleAs is typical for high school coaches at this stage of the season, Boulder boys basketball leader Eric Eisenhard didn't waste much time celebrating a big win. Full Story

New coordinator pushes Buffs to work, play at level he expectsJim Leavitt has discovered this much about his new defense at Colorado: He has some talent with which to work, but his players need to put it in another gear. Full Story